Viral gastroenteritis

Viral gastroenteritis is inflammation of the stomach and intestinescaused by a virus. The infection can lead to diarrhea and vomiting. Itis sometimes called the "stomach flu."

Causes

Viral gastroenteritis is a leading cause of severe diarrhea in bothadults and children. Many types of viruses can cause gastroenteritis.The most common ones are:

• Rotavirus, the leading cause of severegastroenteritis in children. It can also infect adults exposed tochildren with the virus. Outbreaks may also occur in nursing homes. • Norwalk virus, which is common among school-age children.

These viruses are often found in contaminated food or drinking water.Symptoms of viral gastroenteritis usually appear within 4 to 48 hoursafter exposure to the contaminated food or water.Those with the highest risk for severe gastroenteritis include theyoung, the elderly, and people who have suppressed immune systems.

Tests that examine stool samples are used to identify the specific virus or rule out a bacterial cause.

Treatment

The goal of treatment is to prevent dehydration. Fluids andelectrolytes (salt and minerals) lost by diarrhea must be replaced.Electrolyte and fluid replacement solutions for children are availablein food and drug stores. Juice, soda or water do not replaceelectrolytes lost from vomiting or diarrhea. Children with diarrheaoften benefit from dietary modifications until the diarrhea subsides.Since the risk of dehydration is greater in infants and young children,parents should closely monitor the number of wet diapers changed perday when the child is sick. People with diarrhea who are unable to takefluids by mouth because of nausea may need intravenous fluids. This isespecially true in small children.Antibiotics do not work for viruses. Antidiarrheal medications are generally not given, as they may prolong the infectious process.DO NOT give anti-diarrheal medications to children unless directed to do so by a health care provider.People taking diuretics who develop diarrhea may be advised by theirhealth care provider to stop taking the diuretic during the acuteepisode. However, DO NOT stop taking any pre******ion medicine withoutfirst talking to your doctor.

Outlook (Prognosis)

Most infections will go away on their own. Children may become severely ill from dehydration caused by diarrhea.

Possible Complications

Rotavirus causes severe gastroenteritis in infants and young children. Severe dehydration and death can occur in this age group.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Call your health care provider if diarrhea persists for more thanseveral days or if dehydration occurs. You should also contact yourdoctor if the following symptoms are present:

Most infectious organisms are transmitted by unwashed hands. The bestway to prevent viral gastroenteritis is to handle food properly andwash hands thoroughly after using the toilet.RotaTeq is a vaccine used to prevent rotavirus-related gastroenteritisin infants. However, a serious intestinal problem calledintussusception has been reported in a small number of infants whoreceived this vaccine. Immediately call your doctor if your childreceived this vaccine and has stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea, bloodin the stool, or a change in bowel movements